There was a fair bit of hullabaloo two years ago when Mini announced a return to the World Rally Championship for this season, but the road to making that happen has been as rocky as a gravel stage.

We're just happy to see Mini back in the WRC. Hit the jump for the brief press ... development programme took place with the engineering team driving the car over four days, primarily on tarmac ...

Mini confirmed its return to the World Rally Championship with the Countryman WRC car, unveiled at the 2010 Paris motor show. Its entry into the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship marks Mini’s ...